Golf game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A golf game wherein a driven golf ball rebounds from a vertically extending target panel having nine numbered target areas onto a putting area. The tee area has nine numbered tee positions and may be in the form of a grooved ramp which is inclined upwardly toward the target panel and has a progressively changing thickness from the first to the ninth tee position. The putting surface includes nine numbered ball receiving cups, each of which may be closed by a plug having an extracting bar spanning a concave cavity in the upper surface thereof.

Siates Patent 1191 Giglioiti 1451 Oct. 29, 1974 i GAME APPARATUS FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l l lnvemorl Victor J Gigliofli 220 Crystal -4251,046 4/1926 Great Britain 273/87 c N w L nd C n. 063 707,825 4/1931France 273 176 F [22] Filed: June 19, 1973 Primary Exammer-George J.Marlo PP 371,415 Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien;

Harvey B. Jacobson [52] US. Cl 273/87 R, 273/176 F, 273/195 R, 273/34 B,273/183 A [57] ABSTRACT Cl. A game wherein a driven rebounds from Fleldof Search 87, 87.2, a vertically extending target panel having nine num-273/37-45 202, 5 181, 182, 34, 195, 133 bered target areas onto aputting area. The tee area has nine numbered tee positions and may be inthe References Cited form of a grooved ramp'which is inclined upwardlyto- UNITED STATES PATENTS ward the target panel and has a progressivelychanging 1,012,820 12/1911 Cory 273/176 thickness from the first theninth 166 Position 1,391,306 9/1921 Eliaser 1 273/874 putting surfaceincludes nine numbered ball receiving 1,469,130 9/1923 Whitehair 273/176B cups, each of which may be closed by a plug having an 1,582,237 4/1926Angell 273/176 F extracting bar spanning a concave cavity in the upperl,732,574 Brown 81. al. surface thereof 2,432,209 12/1947 3,114,55412/1963 Hurley 273/176 F 5 Clams, 8 Drawmg Figures 'i /$A\%a PAIENIEmm29 am INVENTOR.

/ v mmnl Fig. 3

Fig. 2

GOLF GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to certain new andmeritorious improvements in a portable simulated golf game apparatuswhich is expressly, but not necessarily, designed and adapted for indooruse and which is characterized, speaking generally, by a game boardstructure which provides the players with an innovation a unique ninehole golf course.

Briefly, the game board is marginally bordered by a frame which providesinward and outward (forward and rearward) end walls and leftand rightside walls, all of which function to encompass a playable suitablyconstructed cushioned safely playable golf ball. This framed boardprovides a playing field which embodies certain hazards, at least onesand trap and penalty lake. Primarily, the game board (leg-supported ornot) has cup-equipped holes identified as l 9 and each hole is capableof being temporarily covered and then uncovered so that the ball puttingsequences can be carried out systematically by the golfers. Equallyimportant, if not more so, novelty is predicated on a suitable panelrising vertically from the remote or rearward end of the playing fieldand which constitutes a ball intercepting and rebounding backstop orbackboard, whereby a properly aimed and driven ball is caused to boundback and onto the playing field where it assumes a lie from which it canthen be p utted into hole number I, number 2 and so on until the nineholes have been played and the strokes counted to determine the lowscore winner.

Novelty is predicated on the ball striking and rebounding backboardwherein the front facing side is provided, specifically construed, withvertically spaced horizontal rows of circleseach circle being identifiedby a number and the numbers ranging from I to 9 inclusive. Each numberedcircle constitutes a bull's eyetype ball target. The targets areoriented and adapted to coordinate with the cup-equipped holes which arecorrespondingly numbered.

T hen, too, the board is provided at its forward end with ball teeingmeans which extends horizontally and transversely and completely acrossthe forward end of the playing field. To the ends desired readilyinsertable tees are provided and in a specific embodiment each tee may,and preferably does, comprise an elongated block which is wedge-shapedin elevation and constitutes and provides an upwardly and 'rearwardlyinclined ramp. The ramp in turn comprises a ball guiding channel orgroove which is provided with a ball seat at the ball teeing end anddifferently pitched blocks can, if desired, be used depending on whetherthe ball is being teed from a place of vantage to strike targets in theupper, median or lower row as the case may be.

A preferred embodiment of the board is that which is eitherleg-supported or not and is approximately 36 inches long and incheswide. Tothe ends desired there are nine holes approximately 1% inches indiameter and placed as shown in the plan illustration in FIG. 1. Therecan be three penalty areas, a lake, a sand trap and a so-calledin-the-rough" zone. At the teeing end of the game board a main block isprovided with an inclined surface rising progressively in height fromleft to right and having numbered tees with sockets for recep-v tion ofretaining pins or dowels on the auxiliary blocktype ramps, ashereinafter more particularly set forth.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf game apparatus embodying the inventionand illustrating the layout of the cup-equipped holes, lake, trap andpenalty rough and further showing a ball teed up and ready to be struckwith a short-handled driving iron or the like.

FIG. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane ofthe central section line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on the vertical section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is view of a fragmentary type showing the teeing means and a golfball perched in readiness for use on a collared tee.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the transverselyslotted end of the game board with an elongated main block constitutinga readily applicable ball teeing member.

FIG. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale showing a single hole and themanner in which it is plugged and closed by an attachable and detachableplug.

FIG. 7 is a view on the section line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and which shows inphantom and full lines a hook-type implement which can, if desired, beused to lift and remove the insertable and removable cup closing plug.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and wherein one of the aforementionedinclined ramp-type tees is employed in lieu of the collared tee at theleft in FIG. 4.

It should be explained at the outset of the description of the detailsthat the game board is one which can be in the form of a self-containedleg-supported table or may be without legs and simply used as atable-type game board, that is an adaptation which can be placed atop asuitable table for recreational, amusement and diversionary use. Asshown in the,views of the drawing the flat faced rectangular game boardis denoted generally by the numeral 10 and has a planar or flat top side12 and a corresponding flat bottom side 14. This board is suitablydecorated and constructed to embody at least one penalty area lake as at16 in FIG. 1, an appropriately located and constructed sand trap 18 andan in-'the-rough" zone as at 20 and which may be such that it extendscompletely across the left hand end 'porv tion of the board. Primarily,however, the board is characterized by ball putting holes which arenumbered from 1 to 9 in any arranged order of play as suggested inFIG. 1. All of the holes are the same in construction and each hole isdenoted by the numeral 22 and is of a size suitable to accommodate thecushioned, composite or other acceptably usable golf ball 25 (notdetailed). In playing the game it would be within the purview of theconcept to provide a single golf ball for all of the players or eachplayer may have and use his own selected golf ball. In any event eachhole as shown in FIG. 7 in particular is provided with a ball receivingcup 24 which is flanged and secured in place as at 26.

and close all of the holes which are not at the time in use. This can beaccomplished by using applicable and removable cover means for examplean insertable and removable plug 28 of the type shown in FIG. 7. Theplug has a flat upper end portion 30 which is flush with the top surface12 and may be provided with a seating lip 32. The upper portion is alsoprovided with a concave recess 34 and a rigid spider or crossbar 36which is provided to accommodate the hook portion 38 of a plugextracting tool or implement 40. The implement may be as shown in FIG. 7and provided with a suitable handle. When it is necessary the tool isbrought into play in the manner suggested in phantom lines and the plug28 is withdrawn so that the hole will be uncovered for putting purposes.

With reference now to the right hand or rearward end of the game boardit will be noted that the aforementioned backstop is provided here andis denoted by the numeral 42 and comprises a suitable rectangular panelwhose left hand surface 44 provides the rebounding surface for the golfball. This backstop, also referred to as a backboard, is shown inelevation in FIG. 3 and is provided on its ball striking surface withconsecutively numbered bulls-eye-type targets. Each target comprises asuitably displayed ring 46 which is differentiated by a number such asfor example as denoted at 48. It will be noted that the bulls-eyes ortargets are arranged in rows wherein the lower row embodies three ringsor targets 4, l and 7, the upper row embodying the targets 9, 6 and 3reading from left to right, and the intervening row embodying targets 2,8 and from left to right.

With respect now to the teeing end of the board it will be noted thatthere are nine individual tees reading from left to right when in a golfball hitting position. The means shown comprises an elongated wooden orequivalent block 50 which has a rib 52 on its bottom side fitting into akeying slot 54 provided therefor. This is only one manner ofconstructing the teeing means and it is preferred that the block 50 atthe right handend in FIG. 5 be of restricted cross-section as suggestedat 56 and that the block should then increase progressively in thicknessor cross-section to the thicker and higher end portion 58. The surface60 therefore slants from the number 1 tee to the number 9 tee as'broughtout in FIGS. 1 and 8. The number 1 tee is denoted at 62 in FIG. 1 andall of the teeing areas are separated by division lines 64. Each tee ispreferably provided with a pair of off-center sockets 66 and 68 whichopen through the top to accommodate the stem 70 of the tee 72 as shownin FIG. 4. This tee is provided with a flange or collar 74 which assistsin maintaining the tee in a given position. The tees can vary in heightto accommodate the aforementioned golf ball. In practice the ball willbe struck with a driver or driving iron such as denoted at 74 in FIG. Iand which has a suitably proportioned blade 76 and shortened handle 78.

In playing the game each player may be provided with a club or a singleclub can be used for all of the participants. Moreover and in additionto the driver there will be a suitable putter (not shown). Then, too,and this is important, the game board is encompassed or surrounded by aframe which provides a playing field enclosure and is denoted generallyby the numeral 80. The side walls which form the rim are denoted at 82and are of suitable height and the forward and rearward end walls areconveniently denoted at 84 and 86 in FIG. 2. Then, too, and as beforesuggested the thus rimmed or enclosed playing field, including the boardmeans, can if desired be provided with suitably constructed and attachedsupporting legs as denoted at 88.

It is obvious that the principal or underlying object of the game is tocomplete the nine holes with the least number of strokes as in playing aregular game of golf. With respect to the procedure of play it can beset forth here that to determine the order in which the players mustshoot, a preliminary shot is made by each player. To this end, eachplayer hits the ball from tee number 1 towards the hole number I on thegame board by way of the ball-rebounding backstop or as it is alsocalled, backboard. The player who hits the ball that lands nearest thehole number 1 is the first player to tee off; the second nearest playerwill tee off" second and so The game begins when the first player hitsthe ball from the tee number 1 towards the circle number 1 on thebackstop or backboard. If the ball hits the circle numbered 1 on thebackboard, a single stroke is counted. If it hits the backboard butmisses circle number 1 (also referred to as a bulls-eye target) twostrokes are counted. If the ball misses the backboard completely or ifit bounces off the playing field of the game board, three strokes arecounted and the ball is placed approximately one inch from where it (A)went off the game board or (B) from where it missed the backboard.

Whenever the ball rests on the lake, the sand trap, or on the rough, atwo stroke penalty is counted and the ball is then placed at a point onthe perimeter of the area nearest where the ball rests.

Whenever the ball rests against the backboard or the marginal wall ofthe frame, a one stroke penalty is counted and the ball is placedapproximately 1 inch from that point.

Whenever the ball rolls into any hole other than the hole being playedat that time, the player removes the ball from the hole and places itapproximately 1 inch from the perimeter of that hole.

Resumption of play is resumed as follows:

Player number one hits the ball from where it rests directly towardshole number 1 on the game board. One stroke is counted for each time theball is hit toward that hole. When the ball lands in the hole, the holeis completed and the total number of strokes is tallied for that hole.

Player number two begins to shoot and proceeds as player number one haddone. The subsequent players follow in order.

When all the players have completed hole number 1, they will begin holenumber 2 with the same procedure and the same order of play.

When the nine holes are completed and the scores are tallied, the playerwith the least number of strokes wins the game.

A hole in one is only accomplished when the player shoots from any tee,hits the identical numbered circle on the backboard, and the ballrebounds into the identical numbered hole on the game board.

It can be added that the tee ramp can be of three different heights:low, medium, and high. The low teeramp may be used for the firsthorizontal row of circles or targets on the backboard; the mediumtee-ramps for the second row; and, the high ramps for the third row,this being optional.

Finally, and with further reference to the optional and selectivetee-ramps, reference is now made to FIG. 8 wherein one such ramp isdenoted at 90 and comprises a wedge-shaped block having a flat bottomside 92 carrying a depending peg or dowel 94 fitted removably into thesocket 66. The upwardly inclined top surface of the tee or ramp has aball groove or channel at the left hand end of which there is a recessor seat for the golf ball 25. The manner of use of the tee-ramp (FIG. 8)is deemed to be self-evident, for which reason a more extendeddescription is thought to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable simulated indoor-type golf game apparams-comprising: ahorizontally elongated gameboard marginally surrounded by an enclosingframe having upper component rim portions rising at right angles abovethe plane of the top surface of said board and defining and providing anenclosed playing field for a prescribed golf ball, said playing fieldrepresenting and serving as a fairway and embodying self-containedputting greens and being provided with at least nine upwardly openingholes into which said ball may enter, indicia means in the form ofnumerals l-9, one of said numerals being associated with each of saidholes so that each of said holes is differently numbered, and each holehaving there beneath an aligned cup in which said ball may be receivedand trapped, a rigid upstanding vertical panel fixed at a rearwardterminal end of said board, said panel providing a wholly unobstructedball striking and rebounding backboard and the front facing surface ofsaid panel being devoid of any apertures therein capable of receivingsaid golf ball and having individual selectively usable verticallyspaced horizontal rows of indicia forming distributively spaced circlesindividually numbered from 1-9 and providing selectively playable bullseye-type ball targets adapted to provide first points of aim prior toputting said golf ballinto said cup-equipped holes, said game boardbeing provided at its forward end with ball teeing means extendingtransversely across the forward end and parallel to said panel, saidteeing means having an upper surface disposed at an inclination tofacilitate driving said ball therefrom into contact with saiddistributively' spaced target circles on said panel.

2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, and, in combination, areadily insertable plug fitted removably into each hole and which, whenin its place, has an upper flat surface which is flush with thesurrounding upper surface of said playing field, and wherein said uppersurface of said plug is concave and is provided with anintegralplug-dislodging and extracting bar which spans the concavity and iscapable of being caught hold of by a manually usable lifting hook,whereby said hole can be plugged and covered when not in play anduncovered when readied for play.

3. The game apparatus according to claim 1, and wherein said teeingmeans comprises progressively usable individual tee areas, indiciameansin the form of numerals l-9 associated with said tee areas so thatsaid tee areas are numbered consecutively from l-9, each tee area havingat least one upwardly opening socket for accessible reception of anapplicable and removable tee, having a peg portion which can be pluggedand thus anchored in said socket and, in combination an attachable anddetachable optionally usable teeing means comprising an elongated blockwedge-shaped in edge elevation constituting and providing an inclinedramp, the top of said block having an open-ended ball guiding groovealong which the ball is guidingly propelled when hit with the head of aclub, said groove being provided at one end with a ball seatingandteeing cavity, the underneath side of said block having a dependingblock positioning and retaining stud.

4. A simulated golf game playing apparatus comprising: a horizontallyelongated gameboard having a planar playing field constituting a fairwayand provided with at least nine ball sinking holes, each hole beingequipped with an aligned ball receiving and trapping cup, said gameboardhaving an upstanding panel providing a vertical backstop at a rearwardend of said panel and having ball teeing means at the forward end, saidbackstop providing a target and the vertical playing field confrontingsurface of said panel functioning, when it is struck by a properly aimedand driven ball,

to cause said ball to rebound forwardly and roll upon said playing fieldin a manner that it may drop in the cup of one of said holes or stop andcome to rest after which it can be putted into a predetermined hole,said confronting surface having at least one target provided withindicia in the form of a predetermined hole designating number, saidgameboard being marginally encompassed by an attached frame havingupstanding rim portions which enclose the playing field and help toconfine the ball within the putting limits of said field, a readilyinsertablehole closing plug for each hole, each plug being likewisereadily removable and when in its closing position having an uppersurface which is flush with the surrounding upper surface of saidplaying field, said upper surface having a concave cavity and anintegral plug dislodging and extracting bar which spans the cavity andis capable of being caught hold of by a manually usable lifting hookwhereby all of the holes except the hole which is being played can becovered when not intended to be used.

5. A simulated golf game playing apparatus comprising: a horizontallyelongated gameboard having a planar playing field constituting a fairwayand provided with at least nine ball sinking holes, each hole beingequipped with an aligned depending ball receiving and trapping cup, saidgame board having an upstanding panel providing a vertical backstop at arearward end, and ball teeing means at the forward end, said backstopproviding a primary target and the vertical playing field confrontingsurface of said panel functioning, when struck by a properly aimed anddriven ball, to cause said ball to strike, rebound'forwardly, and rollupon said playing field in a manner that it may (1) drop in apresecribed hole or (2) stop and assume a lie from which it canthereafter be putted into said hole, said confronting surface having atleast one bulls-eye provided with a predetermined hole designatingnumber, said teeing means comprising progressively usable individual teeareas numbered consecutively by indicia means in the form of numerals[-9, each tee area having at least two upwardly opening spaced socketsfor accessible reception of an applicable and removable tee having a pegportion which can be plugged and thus anchored selectively, in eitherone of said sockets, and,

in combination, an attachable and detachable optionally usable teecomprising an elongated block wedgeshaped in edge elevation constitutingand providing an inclined ramp, the top of said block having anopenended ball guiding groove along which the ball is guidtioned pegportion.

1. A portable simulated indoor-type golf game Apparatus comprising: ahorizontally elongated gameboard marginally surrounded by an enclosingframe having upper component rim portions rising at right angles abovethe plane of the top surface of said board and defining and providing anenclosed playing field for a prescribed golf ball, said playing fieldrepresenting and serving as a fairway and embodying selfcontainedputting greens and being provided with at least nine upwardly openingholes into which said ball may enter, indicia means in the form ofnumerals 1- 9, one of said numerals being associated with each of saidholes so that each of said holes is differently numbered, and each holehaving there beneath an aligned cup in which said ball may be receivedand trapped, a rigid upstanding vertical panel fixed at a rearwardterminal end of said board, said panel providing a wholly unobstructedball striking and rebounding backboard and the front facing surface ofsaid panel being devoid of any apertures therein capable of receivingsaid golf ball and having individual selectively usable verticallyspaced horizontal rows of indicia forming distributively spaced circlesindividually numbered from 1-9 and providing selectively playablebull''s eye-type ball targets adapted to provide first points of aimprior to putting said golf ball into said cup-equipped holes, said gameboard being provided at its forward end with ball teeing means extendingtransversely across the forward end and parallel to said panel, saidteeing means having an upper surface disposed at an inclination tofacilitate driving said ball therefrom into contact with saiddistributively spaced target circles on said panel.
 2. The gameapparatus according to claim 1, and, in combination, a readilyinsertable plug fitted removably into each hole and which, when in itsplace, has an upper flat surface which is flush with the surroundingupper surface of said playing field, and wherein said upper surface ofsaid plug is concave and is provided with an integral plug-dislodgingand extracting bar which spans the concavity and is capable of beingcaught hold of by a manually usable lifting hook, whereby said hole canbe plugged and covered when not in play and uncovered when readied forplay.
 3. The game apparatus according to claim 1, and wherein saidteeing means comprises progressively usable individual tee areas,indicia means in the form of numerals 1-9 associated with said tee areasso that said tee areas are numbered consecutively from 1-9, each teearea having at least one upwardly opening socket for accessiblereception of an applicable and removable tee, having a peg portion whichcan be plugged and thus anchored in said socket and, in combination anattachable and detachable optionally usable teeing means comprising anelongated block wedge-shaped in edge elevation constituting andproviding an inclined ramp, the top of said block having an open-endedball guiding groove along which the ball is guidingly propelled when hitwith the head of a club, said groove being provided at one end with aball seating and teeing cavity, the underneath side of said block havinga depending block positioning and retaining stud.
 4. A simulated golfgame playing apparatus comprising: a horizontally elongated gameboardhaving a planar playing field constituting a fairway and provided withat least nine ball sinking holes, each hole being equipped with analigned ball receiving and trapping cup, said gameboard having anupstanding panel providing a vertical backstop at a rearward end of saidpanel and having ball teeing means at the forward end, said backstopproviding a target and the vertical playing field confronting surface ofsaid panel functioning, when it is struck by a properly aimed and drivenball, to cause said ball to rebound forwardly and roll upon said playingfield in a manner that it may drop in the cup of one of said holes orstop and come to rest after which it can be putted into a predeterminedhole, said confrontinG surface having at least one target provided withindicia in the form of a predetermined hole designating number, saidgameboard being marginally encompassed by an attached frame havingupstanding rim portions which enclose the playing field and help toconfine the ball within the putting limits of said field, a readilyinsertable hole closing plug for each hole, each plug being likewisereadily removable and when in its closing position having an uppersurface which is flush with the surrounding upper surface of saidplaying field, said upper surface having a concave cavity and anintegral plug dislodging and extracting bar which spans the cavity andis capable of being caught hold of by a manually usable lifting hookwhereby all of the holes except the hole which is being played can becovered when not intended to be used.
 5. A simulated golf game playingapparatus comprising: a horizontally elongated gameboard having a planarplaying field constituting a fairway and provided with at least nineball sinking holes, each hole being equipped with an aligned dependingball receiving and trapping cup, said game board having an upstandingpanel providing a vertical backstop at a rearward end, and ball teeingmeans at the forward end, said backstop providing a primary target andthe vertical playing field confronting surface of said panelfunctioning, when struck by a properly aimed and driven ball, to causesaid ball to strike, rebound forwardly, and roll upon said playing fieldin a manner that it may (1) drop in a presecribed hole or (2) stop andassume a lie from which it can thereafter be putted into said hole, saidconfronting surface having at least one bull''s-eye provided with apredetermined hole designating number, said teeing means comprisingprogressively usable individual tee areas numbered consecutively byindicia means in the form of numerals 1-9, each tee area having at leasttwo upwardly opening spaced sockets for accessible reception of anapplicable and removable tee having a peg portion which can be pluggedand thus anchored selectively, in either one of said sockets, and, incombination, an attachable and detachable optionally usable teecomprising an elongated block wedge-shaped in edge elevationconstituting and providing an inclined ramp, the top of said blockhaving an open-ended ball guiding groove along which the ball isguidingly propelled when hit with the head of a club, said groove havinga rearward terminal end provided with a ball seating and temporarilyusable cavity, the underneath side of a rearward end portion of saidblock having a rigid depending stud constituting the aforementioned pegportion.